Nursing practicum in India will not be going forward this year despite President Trotter’s trade mission

On Oct 30, 2014

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Langara president Lane Trotter and other education sector representatives joined B.C. Premier Christy Clark on an international trade mission in October to expand the provinces educational relationships. (Submitted photo)

Relationships were strengthened in an existing agreement between Langara College and India’s Royal Institute of Nursing (RIN) during a recenttrade mission to India, according to school officials who were on the trip. Yet, Langara’s nursing program won’t be sending students this academic year.

Langara president Lane Trotter traveled to India Oct. 9 to 18 with B.C. Premier Christy Clark and some 30 other representatives of the education sector, as part of a larger international trade mission focused on promoting key B.C. sectors in India.

While in India, Trotter spent time with RIN’s chairman Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, reaffirming the relationship that allows Langara nursing students to travel to India and gain hands-on experience in the nursing field.

Department wants to get the program back on track for 2016

Pat Woods, assistant chair of the international school of nursing at Langara, said the ongoing partnership that was initially signed in 2011 has sent two groups of students, six in spring of 2013 and eight last spring, but it won’t be sending students next spring.

“We’re going to have to change that international practice experience,” Woods said. “I hope to send a group in 2016.”

Pat Woods, assistant chair, international school of nursing, shares stories about some of the people Langara nursing students interact with while studying at India’s Royal Institute of Nursing. (Photo Charlotte Drewett)

The nursing program previously had two terms for practice, where students entered the nursing field and were able to travel to India’s RIN.

Recent program changes are complicating the process, as courses will now see theory and practice being combined in each semester.

Langara working to strengthen relationships abroad

Ajay Patel, dean of international education at Langara, and Brad O’Hara, provost and vice president of academics and students, joined Trotter on the trade mission to “expand (Langara’s) brand in India so that people know more about who we are, what we are and what kind of programming we have to offer,” Patel said.

Langara representatives played a role in shining a spotlight on B.C. as a “willing partner in expanding educational opportunities,” O’Hara said in an email interview.

“For Langara, this mission allowed us to highlight our programs of interest to the Indian market and explore other educational linkages and partnerships to benefit current and future students,” O’Hara said, adding that they met with officials in Chandigarh, New Delhi and Mumbai.

Patel said the presidents of UBC, SFU and the University of Victoria were also on the trip, which was a “welcome opportunity” for Trotter to continue developing the college’s relationships.

President Trotter, Premier Christy Clark and other delegates traveled to Mumbai, New Delhi and Chandigarh India in October. (Map licensed under Creative Commons)